Roper, according to Smalley, was the father of two young girls and was engaged to be married.

He had worked in the oil fields and owned his own home before he was 30, Smalley said.

Despite a 20-year age difference, the elder Smalley said Roper was “one of my best friends,” and he called him an accomplished cook who could turn out a mean brisket. He said he taught Roper how to play the guitar after the two met and sang karaoke at what was then Rumours Bar in Fruita, Smalley said.

He is left to wonder what prompted Roper to be in Fruitvale, far from his Fruita home, early Thursday morning, Smalley said.

“If he was your friend, he treated you like family,” Smalley said, “One of the most true friends you could ever have.”